The Medical Council has today launched CAREhub, an independent, confidential service operated by Lyra Health International. The service provides mental health and wellbeing support to medical students, doctors, and members of the public who are engaging with the Council’s regulatory processes.

CAREhub was launched today at a stakeholder briefing in Dublin.

CAREhub provides independent mental health support to doctors, medical students, and members of the public who are engaging with the Council’s regulatory processes.

According to the Medical Council “This service offers confidential, impartial, and empathetic guidance to those interacting with the Medical Council’s regulatory processes, such as education, training, complaints, investigations, and fitness to practise procedures.”

Individuals will have “immediate access to trained counsellors who are equipped to provide a supportive, understanding environment”. The Council stated the initiative reflects its “dedication to prioritising mental wellbeing and aligning with global best practices, ensuring that emotional support is readily available to all those affected by the regulatory process”.

Speaking at CAREhub’s launch, Dr Suzanne Crowe, President of the Medical Council, said: “CAREhub is a new initiative designed to enhance wellbeing of doctors and members of the public who are engaging with a regulatory process. The Medical Council’s regulatory role spans the entire lifecycle of a doctor’s career, ensuring the highest standards of care from education through to retirement. 

 “We hope that those engaging with the Medical Council will utilise this service if they need it, and that it will help doctors, medical students and members of the public to feel supported. It’s worth highlighting that only a very small percentage of all doctors are subject to complaints during the course of their career.”

Mr Paul Byrne, Executive Director of Regulatory Operations and Support Services at the Medical Council, welcomed the new initiative: “As a key strand of our new liaison and support services framework, CAREhub strengthens the Medical Council’s mission to support a healthcare system where the health and wellbeing of our key stakeholders – doctors, medical students, and the public – is of utmost importance. By embedding kindness and empathy into our regulatory processes, we hope to provide a more compassionate and effective regulatory environment.”

Ms Niamh Dunne, Head of Liaison at the Medical Council, explained how to use CAREhub: “Those engaging in a Medical Council regulatory process can connect with CAREhub through self-referral or obtain access details from your designated contact at the Medical Council or via our website.”

CAREhub’s online platform can be accessed via Lyra Health International’s website at https://lyrahealthinternational.com

Service users can call the Ireland free 24/7 helpline on 1800 851115 or the out-of country 24/7 helpline on +353 818 370 051, use the 24/7 chat function on the Lyra Wellbeing Hub, or email the clinical team (ukroicustomercare@lyrahealth.com).

The Government has  announced “a record” €25.8 billion health budget “to support the continued delivery and expansion of quality, affordable healthcare services in 2025”.

According to the Department of Health the funding represents an overall increase of €2.94 billion on the January 2024 allocation.

It will provide for more than 3,300 additional staff, deliver 335 additional hospital beds, “expand services, deliver increased productivity and continue the reductions in waiting lists and trolley numbers”.

The 2025 health budget includes €1.2 billion allocated for existing level of service, €1.5 billion additional funding for 2024 pressures and €335 million in additional new measures.

According to the Government the 2025 budget also includes  €33 million investment “to provide more and better cancer services”, publicly funded HRT products for women experiencing symptoms of menopause and extension of publicly funded IVF as part of €35 million measures for women’s healthcare.

On the budget announcement Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said, “whether it’s an appointment with a GP, a home care package for a loved one, an X-ray or MRI, quick access to emergency care or a minor injury unit, an appointment with a hospital consultant or surgery, Budget 2025 is all about making this a reality for more and more patients and families”.

“We are living longer and living better, but our growing and ageing population place additional demands on our services. We continue to respond to these challenges, and we are placing a strong focus on more productivity alongside investment in increased capacity and in workforce planning to ensure we can meet the needs of our healthcare service into the future.”

In response to Budget 2025’s investment in cancer care, Irish Cancer Society CEO, Ms Averil Power said the charity weclomed “the priority given to people affected by cancer in Budget 2025. The investment provided for in this Budget will benefit people with cancer and their families all over the country”.

She added that “hopefully, this is the beginning of a new approach to funding cancer care that will see sustained increases in ringfenced funding for cancer services going forward”. 

“With cancer cases expected to double by 2045, continued increases in investment will be required to meet increased demand and ensure that Irish patients benefit from advances in cancer research and services.”

To highlight the impact of fertility stigma, Sims IVF has launched a new campaign entitled ‘Any News’. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the effects questions or interactions can have on people experiencing challenges when trying to conceive. ‘Any News’ also encourages those who may be experiencing challenges when trying to conceive to “turn questions into answers” with the expert team at Sims IVF.

Findings from research commissioned by Sims IVF earlier this year reveal that 43 per cent of people who have experienced fertility-related stigma report feelings of low self-esteem, while 41 per cent cite anxiety or depression. The nationally representative research surveyed 1,000 Irish adults in order to increase understanding of the impact fertility-related stigma and judgment have on individuals and couples.

Almost half (46 per cent) of participants reported some experience with fertility issues, either personally or through someone they know, and more than one-in-three adults (34 per cent) had experienced stigma and/or judgment. The incidence increased to 60 per cent among younger adults aged between 25-to-34 years. Over one quarter (26 per cent) felt stigmatised due to pressure from family and friends to start a family. Overall, 14 per cent felt that fertility is a “taboo subject” which should not be discussed openly.

Karen Ferguson, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services at Sims IVF, said about the data: “Stigma is a hidden burden that people who are going through fertility treatment or who may be trying to start a family without success often carry with them. The research revealed that people are experiencing stigma in many different forms including dealing with judgment from others, humour or sarcasm directed towards them, or unsolicited advice, which can be devastating. It was also clear that the stigma often presents from those who are closest to us, among immediate and extended family, friends, and in the workplace.”

Survey respondents were asked about a series of situations where stigma can present, such as invasive questions, humour, or sarcasm about family planning, and were also given the opportunity to describe the impact that these experiences had on them. The results found that:

• 43 per cent cited feelings of low self-esteem;
• 41 per cent experienced anxiety or depression;
• 38 per cent kept their treatment a secret;
• 26 per cent felt guilt and 25 per cent experienced feelings of shame;
• 24 per cent agreed they withdrew from family events where children were present;
• 18 per cent said their ability to enjoy everyday life was impacted.

Ms Sinéad Buckley, Clinic Manager Clonskeagh at Sims IVF, said: “It can be heartbreaking to see how deeply fertility stigma can impact individuals and couples, leading to feelings of shame, isolation, and even depression. People who experience infertility and difficulties when trying to conceive frequently experience stigma and this can have a very real emotional toll. So often, the comments to new couples, such as ‘it will be you next’, or ‘when will you give them a sibling?’ to a family with one child, can really impact people.

“At Sims IVF, we understand these struggles deeply and are here to provide support during this challenging time. It is important to know that you are not alone, there is support available within the community, with groups such as the National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG), online, and in your clinic. Do not be afraid to seek support and try to connect with others who have a shared experience.”

Instead of asking invasive questions, Sims IVF recommends the following supportive actions that may be helpful to general practice nurses when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected fertility issues, or their loved ones:

• A simple ‘I’m here and I’m listening’.
• Don’t ignore the topic completely. Simply say: ‘If you want, I will not bring it up with you, so if you want to talk, let me know.’
• Advise friends/family to ask: ‘Would you like to go for a walk/coffee?’
• Advise friends/family to invite them to parties, family gatherings, etc, and not to make the decisions for them or put them under pressure.

A new online tool called My Mental Health Plan has been launched by the HSE to improve access to mental health supports for adults and young people over the age of 18. The interactive platform is a development of the mental health literacy campaign, and is designed to help people reflect on their own mental health needs. It offers personalised advice, information, and self-help tips to help people address issues and improve mental health and self-care.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler said she was “delighted to launch” the new resource, and described it as “a great way to check in with your mental health and get advice and self-care tips”.

“It provides people with a tailored mental health plan with advice ranging from information and self-help resources to clear signposting to appropriate mental health supports. This is just one example, as a result of Sharing the Vision recommendations, of how we are making progress in addressing people’s mental health needs, from population-based mental health promotion all the way through to specialist mental health services.”

My Mental Health Plan consists of four questions on the most commonly reported mental health issues, particularly stress, anxiety, low mood, and sleep. Once complete, users have a tailored mental health plan with advice ranging from information and self-help resources, to clear signposting towards appropriate mental health supports. There is also an option for users to email their plan to themselves for future reference. The resource is available at: www2.hse.ie/mental-health/my-mental-health-plan/

The “perennial inability” to sufficiently fund psychiatric doctors-in-training is having a “detrimental” impact on patients, according to the President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.

Dr Lorcan Martin, a consultant in general adult psychiatry, made the comment as the College’s annual NCHD conference takes place in Dublin today.

According to Dr Martin, the current funding of €1.3 million for doctors to train to be specialists in psychiatry was under 70 per cent of what is needed to meet demand. He said this continuous funding shortfall was a major contributor to psychiatry trainee and specialist consultant burnout, poorer patient outcomes, and significant recruitment and retention problems for mental health services.

“Our psychiatry doctors-in-training are the consultants of the future and they should be given the very best chance to succeed, but instead they are facing a highly stressful and at times unsupportive working environment,” said Dr Martin.

“At present we are underfunded, under-resourced and under-appreciated, and the net result ultimately has been detrimental to Irish patients. There are not enough psychiatrist doctors to meet demand, which makes it harder on those who do stay in this country.”

The College President said psychiatric doctors “have been asked to do more with less for years now, and even though they continually put their own welfare in jeopardy for the sake of their patients, the cracks are visible for all to see”. 

“We urgently need a revised funding and resourcing plan from the Government in order to resolve what has become an untenable situation.”
 
He added that the foundations were in place to provide a best-in-class service for patients.

Dr Martin noted that many of the recommendations in final report from the NCHD taskforce “were already in place in psychiatry”, including publication of statistics, a grievance policy, transparency of eligibility criteria and regionalised training schemes.

The report also recommended regular training of supervisors, which Dr Martin also said the College of Psychiatrists has been doing for many years.